SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check
the appropriate box:
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[ ] Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
-----------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Not Applicable
-----------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
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(4) Date Filed:
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
2000 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY
NEWARK, NEW YORK 14513
May 1, 2003
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Ultralife Batteries, Inc. on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 10:30 A.M. at the offices
of the Company, 2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513.
The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement describe in detail the matters expected to be acted upon at the
meeting. This package also contains the Company's 2002 Annual Report to
Stockholders, which consists of the Company's annual report and Form 10-K for
the transition period ended December 31, 2002 that sets forth important business
and financial information concerning the Company.
In December 2002, we changed our fiscal year so that it ends on December
31, rather than ending on June 30, as it had in prior years. As a result, we
have reported a six-month transition period covering from July 1, 2002 to
December 31, 2002. In the future, our fiscal years will cover the twelve-month
period ending December 31 of each year.
We hope you will be able to attend this year's Annual Meeting.
Very truly yours,
John D. Kavazanjian
President and Chief Executive Officer
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
2000 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY
NEWARK, NEW YORK 14513
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JUNE 10, 2003
Notice is hereby given that the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") of Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on Tuesday,
June 10, 2003 at 10:30 A.M. at the offices of the Company, 2000 Technology
Parkway, Newark, New York 14513 for the following purposes:
1. to elect directors for a term of one year and until their successors
are duly elected and qualified;
2. to approve and ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003;
and
3. to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting
and any adjournments thereof.
Only stockholders of record of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, of
the Company at the close of business on April 15, 2003 are entitled to receive
notice of, and to vote at and attend the Meeting. If you do not expect to be
present, you are requested to fill in, date and sign the enclosed Proxy, which
is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company, and to return it promptly
in the enclosed envelope. In the event you decide to attend the Meeting in
person, you may, if you desire, revoke your proxy and vote your shares in
person.
The Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the transition period
ending December 31, 2002, which includes the Company's Form 10-K, is enclosed.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Ranjit C. Singh
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dated: May 1, 2003
================================================================================
IMPORTANT
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO
COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH
REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
================================================================================
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
2000 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY
NEWARK, NEW YORK 14513
(315) 332-7100
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JUNE 10, 2003
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
This proxy statement is furnished to stockholders in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
(the "Company") for use at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") to be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at 10:30 A.M. and at any
adjournments thereof. The Meeting will be held at the offices of the Company,
2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513.
The approximate date on which the enclosed form of proxy and this proxy
statement are first being sent to stockholders of the Company is May 1, 2003.
When a proxy is returned properly signed, the shares represented thereby
will be voted in accordance with the stockholder's directions. If the proxy is
signed and returned without choices having been specified, the shares will be
voted FOR the election of each director-nominee named herein, and FOR each of
the other proposals identified herein. If for any reason any of the nominees for
election as directors shall become unavailable for election, discretionary
authority may be exercised by the proxies to vote for substitute nominees
proposed by the Board of Directors of the Company. A stockholder has the right
to revoke a previously granted proxy at any time before it is voted by filing
with the Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation, or a duly
executed later-dated proxy, or by requesting return of the proxy at the Meeting
and voting in person.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2003 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. As of April 15, 2003, there
were 12,852,869 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.10 per share
("Common Stock"), issued and outstanding, each entitled to one vote per share at
the Meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, represented
in person or by proxy at the Meeting, will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of all business.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of
shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting
and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Because directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast, withholding authority to vote with respect to one
or more nominees will have no
1.
effect on the outcome of the election, although such shares would be counted as
present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum. Similarly, any
broker non-votes (which occur when shares held by brokers or nominees for
beneficial owners are voted on some matters but not on others in the absence of
instructions from the beneficial owner) are not considered to be votes cast and
therefore would have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors,
although they would be counted for quorum purposes. The affirmative vote of
holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Meeting
and entitled to vote on the proposal to ratify the Company's auditors is
required for approval of that proposal. Accordingly, abstentions and any broker
non-votes, since they are considered to be represented at the Meeting, would
have the same effect as votes cast against that proposal.
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mails, some of the
officers, directors and regular employees of the Company, without extra
remuneration, may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, telefax or similar
transmission. The Company will reimburse record holders for expenses in
forwarding proxies and proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of the
shares held by them.
Effective December 31, 2002, the Company changed its fiscal year-end from
June 30 to December 31. The six month period ended December 31, 2002 for which
certain information is presented in this proxy statement is referred to as the
"Transition Period". Full 12-month fiscal periods that ended June 30 prior to
the Transition Period are referred to as "Fiscal" years. For instance, the year
ended June 30, 2002 is referred to as Fiscal 2002, and the year ended June 30,
2001 is referred to as Fiscal 2001.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors currently has seven directors, all of whom are
running for reelection for a one year period. Directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders of the Company at a stockholders
meeting at which a quorum of shares is represented. Each director shall serve
until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until the successors of such
directors shall have been elected and qualified. The names of, and certain
information with respect to, the persons nominated for election as directors are
presented on the following pages.
Name Age Present Principal Occupation and Employment History
- ---- --- ---------------------------------------------------
John D. Kavazanjian 52 Mr. Kavazanjian was elected as the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer effective July 12, 1999 and as a director on
August 25, 1999. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kavazanjian
worked for Xerox Corporation from 1994 in several capacities, most
recently as Corporate Vice President, Chief Technology Officer,
Document Services Group.
Joseph C. Abeles 88 Mr. Abeles, a founder of the Company, has been a director since
March 1991. He previously served as the Company's Treasurer. Mr.
Abeles, is a private investor and currently serves as a director
emeritus of Bluegreen Corporation (formerly Patten Corporation).
2.
Joseph N. Barrella 56 Mr. Barrella, one of the founders of the Company and a director,
has held strategic positions throughout the Company's existence.
Mr. Barrella currently serves as Senior Vice President of New
Business Development, a position he has held since December 1998.
Mr. Barrella has been involved in the development and manufacture
of lithium batteries for more than 25 years. He holds a number of
patents relating to lithium battery designs and has authored
several publications relating to battery technology.
Carl H. Rosner 73 Mr. Rosner, a director of the Company since January 1992, is
currently President and Chief Executive Officer of CardioMag
Imaging, Inc. and the former Chairman of Intermagnetics General
Corporation ("IGC"). Mr. Rosner, a founder of IGC, was Chairman of
IGC since its formation until his retirement in 2002, and was
President and Chief Executive Officer until May 31, 1999. He is
currently Chairman-Emeritus of IGC.
Ranjit C. Singh 49 Mr. Singh has been a director of the Company since August 2000, and
has served as Chairman of the Board since December 2001. Since
February 2002, he has served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Reliacast Inc., a video streaming software and services
company. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Operating
Officer of ContentGuard, a spinoff of Xerox Corporation that is
jointly owned with Microsoft. ContentGuard develops and markets
digital property rights software. Before joining ContentGuard
earlier in 2000, Mr. Singh worked for Xerox as a corporate Senior
Vice President in various assignments related to software
businesses. Mr. Singh joined Xerox in 1997, having come from
Citibank where he was Vice President of Global Distributed
Computing. Prior to that, he was a principal at two start-up
companies and also held executive positions at Data General and
Digital Equipment Corporation.
3.
Patricia C. Barron 60 Ms. Barron has been a director of the Company since September
2000. Ms. Barron is a professor at the Stern School of Business,
New York University, where she focuses on issues of corporate
governance, the role and responsibilities of Boards of Directors
and leadership. Ms. Barron teaches in the MBA and Executive
Education programs. In addition to her work at the Stern School,
Ms. Barron serves as a Director on the Boards of Aramark
Corporation, Quaker Chemical Corp., Teleflex Corporation and United
Services Automobile Association. Prior to joining the Stern
School, Ms. Barron had a 28-year career in business. She was an
Associate at McKinsey and Company and then moved to Xerox
Corporation where she became a Corporate Officer and held the
positions of Chief Information Officer, President, Office Products
Division, and President, Xerox Engineering Systems.
Daniel W. Christman 59 Mr. Christman was appointed to the Board of Directors in August of
2001. He is currently the Executive Director of the Kimsey
Foundation in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he was
Superintendent for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New
York from June 1996 until July 2001. He currently serves as a
director of United Services Automobile Association, an insurance
mutual corporation, Mykrolis Corporation, a semi conductor
equipment manufacturer, and Metal Storm Limited, a defense research
and development company.
The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the above-named nominees
for directors. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of these
nominees.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors met three times during the Transition Period.
During the Transition Period, all of the members of the Board attended at least
75% of the aggregate of: (1) the total number of meetings of the Board (held
during the period for which such person has been a director); and (2) the total
number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such member
served.
Each non-employee director receives a $2,000 quarterly retainer, and the
Chairman of the Board receives a $3,750 quarterly retainer. Each non-employee
director also receives $750 for each Board meeting attended; subject to the
provision that the meeting compensation is reduced by 50% if the director
participated by conference call.
In a coordinated effort to preserve the Company's cash resources, during
the quarter ended December 31, 2001, the Company and the non-employee directors
agreed that the Company would withhold cash payments to which those directors
were otherwise entitled. As a result, the Company did not pay any of the
director retainers or meeting fees otherwise payable from September 30, 2001
through December 31, 2002. In recognition of this, the Company's Compensation
and Management Committee, in accordance with the provisions of the 2000 Stock
Option Plan, has provided its non-employee directors with additional seven-year
stock options in lieu of the cash retainers and meeting fees to which they were
otherwise entitled. The number of shares subject to these additional stock
options was calculated in accordance with the Black-Scholes formula, and the
exercise price of each option was equal to the closing
4.
price of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Options for an aggregate 48,321
shares were granted at an exercise price of $2.74 per share, and options for an
aggregate 7,228 shares were granted at an exercise price of $3.70 per share.
Effective January 1, 2003, cash payments for retainers and meeting fees were
reinstated.
In addition, during the Transition Period, and in accordance with the
provisions of the 2000 Stock Option Plan, each director who was also employed by
the Company, namely Messrs. Kavazanjian and Barrella, received an option at the
end of each calendar quarter to purchase 1,500 shares of Common Stock. These
options vested immediately with a term of five years from the date of grant and
were granted at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Stock
on the date of grant. During the Transition Period, each non-employee director
also received an option at the end of each calendar quarter to purchase 1,500
shares of Common Stock on the same terms as the options granted to directors who
were also employees of the Company. In addition, during the Transition Period,
the Company granted each non-employee director additional options for an
aggregate 4,500 shares (10,500 shares in the case of the Chairman), the effect
of which was to provide each non-employee director with an option for 3,000
shares (5,000 shares for the Chairman) per calendar quarter for the quarters
ended June 30, 2002, September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2002. These options
also vested immediately for a term of five years from the date of grant and were
granted at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on
the date of grant. Options for an aggregate 23,000 shares were granted at an
exercise price of $2.74 per share, and options for an aggregate 13,000 shares
were granted at an exercise price of $3.70 per share. Effective January 1, 2003,
only non-employee directors will receive these quarterly 3,000-share option
grants.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board has established four standing committees to assist it in
carrying out its responsibilities: the Compensation and Management Committee,
the Audit and Finance Committee, the Governance Committee and the Executive
Committee.
Each committee member receives $500 for each committee meeting attended,
whether in person or by conference call. In addition, each committee chair,
other than Mr. Kavazanjian, receives $2,500 per annum. As noted above with
respect to non-employee director retainers and fees, the Company and its
non-employee directors similarly agreed to withhold payment of committee fees
and committee chair fees to which those directors were otherwise entitled. The
additional stock options granted to the non-employee directors described above
took into account the withholding of cash payments for committee meetings
attended and committees chaired.
Compensation and Management Committee
The members of the Compensation and Management Committee are currently
Daniel W. Christman (Chair), Patricia C. Barron and Joseph C. Abeles, all of
whom are independent directors. The Compensation and Management Committee has
general responsibility for recommending to the Board remuneration for the
Chairman and determining the remuneration of other officers elected by the
Board, granting stock options and otherwise administering the Company's stock
option plans, and approving and administering any other compensation plans or
agreements. The Compensation and Management Committee met two times during the
Transition Period.
Audit and Finance Committee
The members of the Audit and Finance Committee are Carl H. Rosner (Chair),
Ranjit C. Singh and Joseph C. Abeles, all of whom are independent directors.
This committee has oversight
5.
responsibility for reviewing the scope and results of the independent
accountants' annual examination of the Company's financial statements, meeting
with the Company's financial management and the independent accountants to
review matters relating to internal accounting controls, the Company's
accounting practices and procedures and other matters relating to the financial
condition of the Company, and recommending to the Board of Directors the
appointment of the independent accountants. The Audit and Finance Committee met
three times during the Transition Period.
Governance Committee
The members of the Governance Committee are currently Patricia C. Barron
(Chair), Ranjit C. Singh and Daniel W. Christman, all of whom are independent
directors. This committee reviews the performance of the Company's directors,
makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for membership and committee
assignments and manages the annual evaluation of the performance of the
Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Governance Committee met three times
during the Transition Period.
The Governance Committee serves as the Nominating Committee. The committee
will consider persons whom stockholders recommend as candidates for election as
Company directors. Stockholders may submit names of qualified candidates along
with detailed information on their backgrounds to the Company's Secretary for
referral to the committee for consideration.
Executive Committee
The members of the Executive Committee are Ranjit C. Singh, Joseph C.
Abeles, Carl H. Rosner and John D. Kavazanjian (Chair). This committee is
responsible for overseeing such matters as the Board of Directors determines
from time to time. The Executive Committee did not meet during the Transition
Period.
6.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The table below sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of shares of the Company's Common Stock as of March 31, 2003 by (i)
each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than five percent of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each director and certain named
executive officers of the Company, and (iii) all directors and executive
officers of the Company as a group.
Number of Shares Percent
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) Beneficially Owned Beneficially Owned (20)
- ---------------------------------------- ------------------ -----------------------
State of Wisconsin Investment Board (2) 2,218,600 17.3%
Kimelman & Baird, LLC, Daeg Capital Management, LLC, 1,986,380 15.5%
Daeg Partners, LP, Sheila Baird, Michael Kimelman and
Scott Kimelman (3)
Grace Brothers, Ltd. (4) 1,234,533 9.6%
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. (5) 691,900 5.4%
Joseph C. Abeles (6) 505,281 3.9%
Joseph N. Barrella (7) 234,500 1.8%
Patricia C. Barron (8) 46,944 *
Daniel W. Christman (9) 30,277 *
John D. Kavazanjian (10) 351,000 2.7%
Carl H. Rosner (11) 95,031 *
Ranjit C. Singh (12) 47,005 *
Peter F. Comerford (13) 19,000 *
Robert W. Fishback (14) 26,000 *
William A. Schmitz (15) 37,300 *
Julius M. Cirin (16) 20,200 *
Nancy C. Naigle (17) 16,000 *
Patrick R. Hanna, Jr. (18) 9,000 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 1,437,538 10.5%
persons)(19)
- ----------
*Less than 1%
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, the stockholders named in this table have
sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Common
Stock beneficially owned by them. The information provided in this table
is based upon information provided to the Company by such stockholders.
The above table reports beneficial ownership for the Company's directors
and executive officers in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. This means all Company securities over which
directors and executive officers directly or indirectly have or share
voting or investment power are listed as beneficially owned. The figures
also include shares which may be acquired by exercise of stock options
prior to May 31, 2003. The address of each of the directors and executive
officers of the Company is c/o Ultralife Batteries, Inc., 2000 Technology
Parkway, Newark, New York 14513.
(2) The amount shown is derived from Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13G dated
February 14, 2003. The State of Wisconsin Retirement Board's address is
P.O. Box 7842, Madison, Wisconsin 53707.
(3) The amount shown and the following information is derived from Amendment
No. 3 to Schedule 13G dated February 14, 2003: 943,580 shares are
beneficially owned by Kimelman & Baird, LLC, which shares dispositive
power with respect to all of such shares; 1,042,800 shares are
beneficially owned by Daeg Capital Management, LLC, which shares voting
and dispositive power with respect to all of such shares; 1,042,800 shares
are beneficially owned by Daeg Partners, L.P. which shares voting and
dispositive power with respect to all of such shares; 1,986,380 shares are
beneficially owned by Sheila Baird, who shares voting power with respect
to 1,042,800 of such shares, and who shares dispositive power with respect
to all 1,986,380 shares; 1,986,380 shares are beneficially owned by
Michael Kimelman, who shares voting power with respect to 1,042,800 of
such shares and shares dispositive power with respect to all 1,986,380
shares; and 1,042,800 shares are beneficially owned by Scott Kimelman, who
shares voting and dispositive power with respect to all 1,042,800 shares.
Their address is 100 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
7.
(4) The amount shown is derived from Schedule 13G dated February 11, 2003.
Grace Brothers, Ltd.'s address is 1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 900,
Evanston, Illinois 60201.
(5) The amount shown and the following information is derived from an
Amendment to Schedule 13G dated February 3, 2003: Dimensional Fund
Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), an investment advisor registered under
Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment
advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other
commingled group trusts and separate accounts. These investment companies,
trusts and accounts are the "Funds." In its role as investment advisor or
manager, Dimensional has sole power to vote and sole power to dispose of
all of the reported shares that are owned by the Funds. All the securities
reported are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial
ownership of such shares. Dimensional's address is 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th
Floor, Santa Monica, California 90401.
(6) Includes 54,125 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Abeles.
(7) Includes 115,500 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Barrella.
(8) Includes (i) 1,200 shares held jointly with Ms. Barron's husband, and (ii)
31,944 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Ms. Barron.
(9) Includes 27,777 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Christman.
(10) Includes 341,000 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Kavazanjian.
(11) Includes 57,698 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Rosner.
(12) Includes 45,005 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Singh.
(13) Includes 18,000 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Comerford.
(14) These shares are subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Fishback.
(15) Includes (i) 32,000 shares subject to options which may be exercised by
Mr. Schmitz, and (ii) 300 shares held by Mr. Schmitz' wife.
(16) These shares are subject to options which may be exercised by Mr. Cirin.
(17) Includes (i) 2,000 shares held jointly with Ms. Naigle's husband, and (ii)
14,000 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Ms. Naigle.
(18) Includes 8,000 shares subject to options which may be exercised by Mr.
Hanna.
(19) Includes 791,249 shares subject to options which may be exercised by the
named directors and executive officers.
(20) Based on 12,852,869 shares issued and outstanding.
Section 16(a) Reporting
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than
ten percent of the Company's Common Stock, to file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company.
Executive officers, directors and greater than ten-percent stockholders are
required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section
16(a) reports they file. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of
the copies of such reports furnished to the Company during the Transition
Period, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers,
directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with,
except as follows: Mr. Abeles inadvertently filed late with the SEC one report
disclosing two transactions, and Mr. Rosner inadvertently filed late with the
SEC one report disclosing one transaction.
8.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The names of, and certain information with respect to the Company's
executive officers who are not also directors, are presented on the following
pages.
Name Age Present Principal Occupation and Employment History
- ---- --- ---------------------------------------------------
Julius M. Cirin 49 Mr. Cirin, a battery industry veteran, has served as Vice
President of Product and Industry Marketing since March 2002,
having served as Vice President of Corporate Marketing prior to
that. Prior to joining the Company at its founding in March
1991 as Director of Marketing, Mr. Cirin served as Quality
Assurance Manager for Eastman Kodak Company in the Ultra
Technologies Division from 1986 to 1989. From 1979 to 1986, Mr.
Cirin worked at Duracell USA in several product and process
engineering and quality management positions. Mr. Cirin has a
B.S. in Marketing Management from St. John Fisher College in
Rochester, New York.
Peter F. Comerford 45 Mr. Comerford was named Vice President of Administration and
General Counsel on July 1, 1999 and was elected Secretary of the
Company in December 2000. He joined the Company in May of 1997
as Senior Corporate Counsel and was appointed Director of
Administration and General Counsel in December of that year.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Comerford was a practicing
attorney for approximately fourteen years having worked
primarily in municipal law departments including the City of
Niagara Falls, New York where he served as the Corporation
Counsel. Mr. Comerford has a B.A. from the State University of
New York at Buffalo, an MBA from Canisius College and a J.D.
from the University of San Diego School of Law.
Robert W. Fishback 47 Mr. Fishback joined the Company in December 1998 as Corporate
Controller. He became Vice President of Finance and Chief
Financial Officer in October 1999 and was appointed Treasurer of
the Company in December 2002. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Fishback served as Controller-Shared Services for ITT
Industries, a diversified manufacturing company, from 1997 to
1998. From 1995 to 1997, he was Director-Corporate Accounting
for Goulds Pumps Inc., a manufacturer of industrial and
commercial pumps. From 1983 to 1995, Mr. Fishback served in
various managerial capacities in finance and operations with
Frontier Corporation, a provider of local and long-distance
telecommunications services. He is a CPA and has an MBA in
finance from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His
undergraduate degree in accounting is from Grove City College.
9.
Patrick R. Hanna, Jr. 54 Mr. Hanna has served as Vice President of Corporate Business
Strategy since December 2001. He joined the Company in February
2000 as Director of Strategic Planning after a 23-year career
with Xerox Corporation. Mr. Hanna served in many capacities in
the areas of strategic and business planning development, most
recently as the Strategic Planning Manager of the Xerox Internet
and Software Services organization.
Nancy C. Naigle 55 Ms. Naigle, has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
since March 2002, having joined the Company in January of 2001
as Vice President of Worldwide Sales. Previously, she was
employed at Xerox Corporation for 20 years, where she held
multiple sales and general management positions, most recently
as Vice President and General Manager of the Software Solutions
Business Group. Ms. Naigle has both a B.A. and a Master's
degree in English and Mathematics from the University of Texas
in Arlington, and earned an MBA from the University of Dallas.
William A. Schmitz 40 Mr. Schmitz, currently Chief Operating Officer, joined the
Company in December 1999 as Vice President, Manufacturing, and
became Vice President and General Manager, Primary Batteries in
2000 and Chief Operating Officer in November 2001. Before this,
Mr. Schmitz worked for Bausch & Lomb from 1985 to 1999 in
several positions, most recently as Director, New Product
Development in the Eyewear Division from 1995 to 1999. Mr.
Schmitz has an M.S. in Operations Management from the University
of Rochester and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the
Rochester Institute of Technology.
The individuals named in the following tables include, as of December 31,
2002, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly
compensated executive officers of the Company whose annualized salary and bonus
during the Transition Period exceeded $100,000 ("Named Executive Officers").
The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and
long-term compensation of the Named Executive Officers for all services in all
capacities to the Company and its subsidiary during the Transition Period and
during Fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000:
10.
Summary Compensation Table
All Other
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation Compensation ($)
- -------------------------- ---------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- ----------------
Other Annual Restricted
Compensation($) Stock Underlying LTIP
Name and Principal Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) (1) Awards ($) Options/SARs Payouts($)
- -------------------------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------- ------------- ------------ --------- ----------------
John D. Kavazanjian 2002(2) $139,501 $0 $10,953 0 3,000 $0 $0
President and Chief 2002(3) 289,387 5,000 23,347 0 6,000 0 0
Executive 2001 299,998 0 27,001 0 6,000 0 0
Officer 2000 288,960 50,000 17,502 0 506,000 0 0
Joseph N. Barrella 2002(2) $88,986 $0 $1,828 0 3,000 $0 $0
Senior Vice President 2002(3) 185,577 0 16,870 0 101,000 0 0
of New 2001 196,725 0 20,544 0 6,000 0 0
Business Development 2000 172,439 0 37,427 0 56,000 0 0
Robert W. Fishback 2002(2) $58,500 $0 $1,372 0 0 $0 $0
Vice President of 2002(3) $122,000 $2,000 $9,145 0 10,000 0 0
Finance and 2001 129,423 0 13,616 0 0 0 0
Chief Financial Officer 2000 101,202 10,000 14,700 0 25,000 0 0
William A. Schmitz 2002(2) $57,692 $1,890 $1,685 0 0 $0 $0
Chief Operating Officer 2002(3) 117,308 8,530 7,897 0 50,000 0 0
2001 124,647 $0 15,620 0 0 0 0
2000 57,942 0 4,858 0 45,000 0 0
Nancy C. Naigle 2002(2) $47,923 $7,560 $1,903 0 0 $0 $0
Vice President of Sales 2002(3) 119,538 28,240 13,251 0 20,000 0 0
and Marketing 2001 61,923 10,000 1,790 0 25,000 0 0
2000 -- -- -- -- -- -- -
John D. Joseph N. Robert W. William A. Nancy C.
Kavazanjian Barrella Fishback Schmitz Naigle
----------- -------- -------- ------- ------
Insurance
- ---------
2002(2) $10,953 $1,828 $1,372 $1,685 $1,903
2002(3) 9,286 12,915 6,465 5,790 11,645
2001 9,993 13,320 9,871 12,410 1,790
2000 11,040 11,425 8,175 4,858 ---
Automobile
- ----------
2002(2) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
2002(3) 8,500 0 0 0 0
2001 7,500 0 0 0 0
2000 6,000 7,824 4,000 0 ---
Directors Fees
- --------------
2002(2) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
2002(3) 0 0 0 0 0
2001 0 0 0 0 0
2000 0 13,187 0 0 ---
401(k) Plan(4)
- --------------
2002(2) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
2002(3) 5,561 3,955 2,680 2,108 1,606
2001 9,855 7,862 4,149 4,364 0
2000 462 4,991 2,525 0 ---
(1) The amounts reported in this column are categorized in the table that
follows the Summary Compensation Table.
(2) For the Transition Period.
(3) For Fiscal 2002.
(4) Represents the Company's matching grants to the employees' 401(k) Plan
accounts for the Transition Period and for Fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000.
11.
The following table sets forth information concerning options granted to the
Named Executive Officers during the Transition Period:
Option Grants in Transition Period
Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of
Individual Grants Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term (1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Shares %(4) Price(5) Exp. Date 5% Dollar 10% Dollar
Gain(6) Gain(14)
------- --------
John D. Kavazanjian 1,500(2) 13.04 $3.32 9/30/07 $1,376 $3,040
President and Chief 1,500(3) 13.04 3.70 12/31/07 1,533 3,388
Executive Officer
Joseph N. Barrella 1,500(2) 13.04 9/30/07 $1,376 $3,040
Senior Vice 1,500(3) 13.04 3.70 12/31/07 1,533 3,388
President of
New Business
Development
Robert W. Fishback -- -- -- -- -- --
Vice President of
Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
William A. Schmitz -- -- -- -- -- --
Chief Operating
Officer
Nancy C. Naigle -- -- -- -- -- --
Vice President of
Sales and Marketing
1. There is no assurance that the value realized by an employee will be at or
near the amount estimated using this model. These amounts rely on assumed
future stock price movements that cannot be predicted accurately.
2. Vested on the date of grant, September 30, 2002
3. Vested on the date of grant, December 31, 2002.
4. Options for a total of 11,500 shares were granted to employees.
5. Fair market value of common stock at date of grant. 6. Fair market value
of common stock at end of actual option term assuming annual compounding
at the stated rate, less the option price.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number
of shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of stock options during the
Transition Period and the number and value at December 31, 2002 of unexercised
stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by the Named Executive
Officers.
Aggregated Option Exercises in Transition Period
and Transition Period-End Option Values
Shares
Acquired Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised in the
on Value Options/SARs at Money Options/SARs at
Exercise Realized December 31, 2002 (#) December 31, 2002 ($)
Name (#) ($) Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable(1)
- --------------------------- --------- -------- ------------------------- ----------------------------
John D. Kavazanjian 0 0 341,000/180,000 $1,352/$0
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Joseph N. Barrella 0 0 108,000/120,000 $1,352/$24,750
Senior Vice President of
New Business Development
Robert W. Fishback 0 0 24,000/26,000 $0/$3,100
Vice President of
Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
12.
William A. Schmitz 0 0 32,000/63,000 $0/$0
Chief Operating Officer
Nancy C. Naigle 0 0 7,000/38,000 $0/$3,100
Vice President of Sales
and Marketing
(1) Market value of Company's Common Stock at exercise or period-end, minus
the exercise price.
The Company has revised its policy for granting stock options to make it
clear that only non-employee directors receive an option to purchase 3,000
shares of Common Stock at the end of each calendar quarter at an exercise price
equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and that
executive officers will receive seven-year stock options at the end of each
calendar quarter at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common
Stock on the date of grant in the following amounts: Joseph N. Barrella, William
A. Schmitz and Nancy C. Naigle - 1,500 shares; Robert W. Fishback and Peter F.
Comerford - 1,000 shares; and Julius M. Cirin and Patrick R. Hanna, Jr. - 500
shares.
The Company has no long-term incentive plan. Consequently, there have been
no qualifying awards during the Transition Period. Also, the Company has no
employee pension plans to which it makes contributions, except as described
below under "401(k) Plan".
Employment Arrangements
In connection with the hiring of Mr. Kavazanjian as the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer effective July 12, 1999, the Company
granted Mr. Kavazanjian an option to purchase 500,000 shares of Common Stock for
$5.19 per share, exercisable until July 12, 2005. The option vests 50,000 shares
at issue and 90,000 shares on July 12, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In
September 2002, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr.
Kavazanjian pursuant to which the Company agrees to pay Mr. Kavazanjian a salary
of $300,000 per annum. Pursuant to that agreement, the Company has agreed that
if Mr. Kavazanjian's employment is terminated by the Company except for "cause"
prior to July 1, 2003, then Mr. Kavazanjian shall be entitled to receive
$300,000 within 30 days following that termination, and the portion of the
option granted to Mr. Kavazanjian in June 1999 which is scheduled to vest on
July 12, 2003, shall be deemed to have vested as of such termination date. In
addition, Mr. Kavazanjian shall have one year after the termination of his
employment to exercise any vested but unexercised stock options. On February 1,
2004, both the Company and Mr. Kavazanjian shall have the option of terminating
Mr. Kavazanjian's employment agreement effective June 30, 2004. In the event
neither party opts to terminate the employment relationship, the employment
agreement shall renew automatically for an additional year, each year, and the
parties shall continue to be required to give notice of intent to terminate by
February 1 of the year in which agreement is intended to be terminated effective
June 30. As a result of across-the-board management salary reductions, Mr.
Kavazanjian is currently being paid an annual salary of $270,000.
In September 2002, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Barrella pursuant to which the Company agrees to pay Mr. Barrella a salary
of $197,745 per annum. Pursuant to that agreement, the Company has agreed that
if Mr. Barrella's employment is terminated by the Company except for "cause"
prior to July 1, 2003, Mr. Barrella shall be entitled to receive $197,745 within
30 days following that termination. In addition, Mr. Barrella shall have one
year after the termination of his employment to exercise any vested but
unexercised stock options. On February 1, 2004, both the Company and Mr.
Barrella shall have the option of terminating Mr. Barrella's employment
agreement effective June 30, 2004. In the event neither party opts to terminate
the employment relationship, the employment agreement shall renew automatically
for an additional year, each year, and the parties shall continue to be required
to give notice of intent to terminate by February 1 of the year in which the
agreement is intended to be terminated effective June 30. As a result of
across-the-board management salary reductions, Mr. Barrella is currently being
paid an annual salary of $177,970.
In September 2002, the Company entered into an employment agreement
with Mr. Schmitz pursuant to which the Company agrees to pay Mr. Schmitz a
salary of $125,000 per annum. Pursuant to that agreement, the Company has agreed
that if Mr. Schmitz's employment is terminated by the Company except for "cause"
prior to July 1, 2003, Mr. Schmitz shall be entitled to receive $125,000 within
30 days following that termination. In addition, Mr. Schmitz shall have one year
after the termination of his employment to exercise any vested but unexercised
stock options. On February 1, 2004, both the Company and Mr. Schmitz shall have
the option of terminating Mr. Schmitz's employment agreement effective June 30,
2004. In the event neither party opts to terminate the employment relationship,
the employment agreement shall renew automatically for an additional year, each
year, and the parties shall continue to be required to give notice of intent to
terminate by February 1 of the year in which the
13.
agreement is intended to be terminated effective June 30. Mr. Schmitz's base
salary was recently increased to $160,000 per annum, but in keeping with the
Company's policy of salary reductions, Mr. Schmitz is currently being paid an
annual salary of $144,000.
401(k) Plan
The Company established a profit sharing plan under Sections 401(a) and
401(k) of the Code (the "401(k) Plan"), effective as of June 1, 1992. The 401(k)
plan was amended effective as of January 1, 1994. All employees in active
service who have completed 1,000 hours of service or were participating in the
401(k) Plan as of January 1, 1994, not otherwise covered by a collective
bargaining agreement (unless such agreement expressly provides that those
employees are to be included in the 401(k) Plan), are eligible to participate in
the 401(k) Plan. Eligible employees may direct that a portion of their
compensation, up to a maximum of 17% (in accordance with all IRS limitations in
effect on January 1, 1998) be withheld by the Company and contributed to their
account under the 401(k) Plan.
In April 1996, the Board of Directors authorized a Company matching
contribution up to a maximum of 1 1/2% of an employee's annual salary for the
calendar year ended December 31, 1996 and 3% for subsequent calendar years. In
January 2001, the matching contribution was raised to a maximum of 4% (100%
match of up to 3% of annual salary, and 50% match above 3% to a maximum of 5% of
salary). The Company made or accrued contributions of $150,000, $234,000, and
$162,000 for Fiscal 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively. In January 2002, the
Company match was suspended in an effort to conserve cash, and since that date,
the Company has not made any contributions to the 401(k) Plan.
All 401(k) contributions are placed in a trust fund to be invested at the
trustee's discretion, except that the Company may designate that the funds be
placed and held in specific investment accounts managed by an investment manager
other than the trustee. Amounts contributed to employee accounts by the Company
or as compensation reduction payments, and any earnings or interest accrued on
employee accounts, are not subject to federal income tax until distributed to
the employee, and may not be withdrawn (absent financial hardship) until death,
retirement or termination of employment.
REPORT OF COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
CONCERNING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Overview
Compensation determinations are made by the Company's Compensation and
Management Committee. The Company seeks to provide executive compensation that
will support the achievement of
14.
the Company's financial goals while attracting and retaining talented executives
and rewarding superior performance.
The Company seeks to provide an overall level of compensation to the
Company's executives that is competitive within the Company's industry and with
other companies of comparable size and complexity. Compensation in any
particular case may vary from the industry average on the basis of annual and
long-term Company performance as well as individual performance. The
Compensation and Management Committee will exercise its discretion to set
compensation where, in its judgment, external, internal or individual
circumstances warrant it.
In general, the Company compensates its executive officers through a
combination of salary and stock option awards. Additionally, the Company's
executives are eligible to participate in or receive benefits under an employee
benefit plan made available by the Company to its executives and/or employees.
Salary
Of the primary elements of executive compensation set forth above, salary
is generally the least affected by the Company's performance, although it is
very much dependent on individual performance. Executive salaries for Fiscal
2002 were, however, adversely affected by the Company's performance as
executives, at the recommendation of the Compensation and Management Committee
and in a cooperative effort to conserve the Company's cash resources, reduced
their salaries initially by 20%, which reduction was then followed by an
across-the-board increase so that the Company's executives are now receiving 90%
of their former salaries. The Company believes that salaries paid to its
executives are competitive with industry norms. The salary levels and annual
increases of all executive officers of the Company must be approved by the
Compensation and Management Committee. Salary levels for executives are
determined by progress made in the operational and functional areas for which
they are responsible as well as the overall profitability of the Company.
Executives' salaries are reviewed annually. The timing and amount of any
increase to executives both depend upon (i) the performance of the individual
and, (ii) to a lesser extent, the financial performance of the Company.
Stock Options
Stock options are designed to provide long-term incentives and rewards,
tied to the price of the Company's Common Stock. Given the vagaries of the stock
market, stock price performance and financial performance are not always
consistent. The Compensation and Management Committee believes that stock
options, which provide value to the participants only when the Company's
stockholders benefit from stock price appreciation, are an appropriate
complement to the Company's overall compensation policies. Executive officers of
the Company are eligible to receive option grants under the Company's stock
option plans.
The decision to award any additional stock options to an executive is
based upon such considerations as the executive's position with the Company and
is designed to be competitive for individuals at that level. The Compensation
and Management Committee administers the Company's stock option plans.
15.
Employee Benefit Plans
Executives of the Company are each entitled to participate in or receive
benefits under any pension plan, profit-sharing plan, life insurance plan,
health insurance plan or other employee benefit plan made available by the
Company to its executives and employees. The Company also provides Mr.
Kavazanjian with supplemental life insurance ($700,000 coverage in addition to
$300,000 of basic coverage) and supplemental disability insurance. Currently,
the Company provides medical insurance for its executive officers and has
established the 401(k) Plan. All executive officers and employees are eligible
to participate in the 401(k) Plan.
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Kavazanjian joined the Company in July 1999, and received stock
options as described earlier in this Proxy Statement. Mr. Kavazanjian and the
Company entered into a new employment agreement in September 2002, the principal
terms of which are described earlier in this Proxy Statement. In reviewing the
performance of the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation and Management
Committee considers the scope and complexity of his job during the past year,
progress made in planning for the future development and growth and return on
assets of the Company.
Compensation and Management Committee
Daniel W. Christman, Chair
Patricia C. Barron
Joseph C. Abeles
16.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative return to holders of the
Company's Common Stock for the period commencing June 30, 1997 through the end
of the Transition Period with the NASDAQ National Market Index and the NASDAQ
Electronic Components Index for the same period. The comparison assumes $100 was
invested on June 30, 1997 in the Company's Common Stock and in each of the
comparison groups, and assumes reinvestment of dividends. The Company paid no
dividends during the comparison period. As stated earlier, in December 2002 the
Company changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31. Accordingly,
the data shown at December 31, 2002 reflects the Transition Period.
[The following material represents the graph which appears on page 17.]
Total Return To Shareholders
(Includes reinvestment of dividends)
ANNUAL RETURN PERCENTAGE
Years Ending
Company / Index Jun98 Jun99 Jun00 Jun01 Jun02 Dec02
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES INC -26.88 -35.29 104.55 -42.22 -46.17 5.74
NASDAQ U.S. INDEX 31.63 43.67 47.84 -45.79 -31.81 -8.48
NASDAQ ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS -0.96 77.73 149.38 -63.19 -39.47 -14.21
INDEXED RETURNS
Base Years Ending
Period
Company / Index Jun97 Jun98 Jun99 Jun00 Jun01 Jun02 Dec02
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES INC 100 73.12 47.31 96.77 55.91 30.10 31.83
NASDAQ U.S. INDEX 100 131.63 189.11 279.59 151.56 103.34 94.58
NASDAQ ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 100 99.04 176.02 438.97 161.59 97.81 83.91
REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Audit and Finance Committee is composed of independent directors and
operates under a written charter adopted by the Audit and Finance Committee and
the Board. The Audit and Finance Committee's charter was attached to the
Company's Proxy Statement for the 2001 Annual Meeting as Appendix A.
Management has the primary responsibility for the Company's financial
statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PricewaterhouseCoopers"), the independent
accountants for the Company, is responsible for performing an independent audit
of the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. The Audit and Finance
Committee acts only in an oversight capacity. The Audit and Finance Committee
relies on the work and assurances of the Company's management, which has the
primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of the
independent accountants, who, in their report, express an opinion on the
conformity of the Company's annual financial statements to generally accepted
accounting principles.
In this context, the Audit and Finance Committee has met and held
discussions with management and the independent accountants. Management
represented to the Audit and Finance Committee that the Company's consolidated
financial statements for the Transition Period were prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, and the Audit and Finance Committee
has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements for the
Transition Period with management and with PricewaterhouseCoopers. The Audit and
Finance Committee discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 "Communication With Audit
Committees".
PricewaterhouseCoopers provided to the Audit and Finance Committee the
written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
"Independence Discussion With Audit Committees". The Audit and Finance Committee
discussed with the accountants the accountants' independence.
The Audit and Finance Committee discussed with the Company's independent
accountants the plans for their audit. The Audit and Finance Committee met with
the independent accountants, with and without management present, and discussed
the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company's internal
controls, and the quality of the Company's financial reporting.
17.
In reliance on these reviews and discussions, and the report of the
independent auditors, the Audit and Finance Committee recommended to the Board
of Directors, and the Board approved, that the audited financial statements be
included in the Company's Transition Report on Form 10-K for the Transition
Period for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The following fees were accrued or paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers for
services rendered with respect to the Company's operations for the Transition
Period:
Audit and Review Fees - The aggregate fees billed by
PricewaterhouseCoopers for professional services rendered for the audit of the
Company's annual financial statements for the Transition Period and the review
of the financial statements included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter included in the Transition Period were $76,700.
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees -
PricewaterhouseCoopers did not render professional services relating to
financial information systems design and implementation for the Transition
Period.
All Other Fees - The aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for
services to the Company, other than the audit and review services described
above, for the Transition Period were $5,000. These fees primarily comprise
amounts for tax preparation fees and for providing consents in connection with
certain filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit and
Finance Committee has reviewed the fees charged by PricewaterhouseCoopers for
non-audit services and believes they are compatible with PricewaterhouseCoopers'
independence.
The Audit and Finance Committee has recommended to the Board, and the
Board has approved, the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for Fiscal 2003.
Audit and Finance Committee
Carl H. Rosner, Chair
Ranjit C. Singh
Joseph C. Abeles
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In April 2002, the Company authorized a private placement to accredited
investors only and the potential issuance of up to 2,300,000 shares of its
Common Stock. One of the Company's directors, Joseph C. Abeles, in order to
assist the Company in its capital raising efforts, expressed a willingness to
participate in the private placement. Although the private placement was
structured as a straight common stock equity investment, because of NASDAQ rules
and regulations regarding stockholder approval of issuances of stock to officers
or directors, the Company issued to Mr. Abeles a debenture for $600,000 which,
by its terms, automatically converted to shares of the Company's Common Stock at
the rate of $3.00 per share (the private placement price) upon obtaining
stockholder approval of the conversion at the December 12, 2002 Annual Meeting.
In accordance with the terms of the debenture, upon obtaining stockholder
approval and thereby triggering an automatic conversion of the debenture, any
interest that otherwise would have accrued on the debenture was forgiven.
Accordingly, 200,000 shares of Common Stock were issued to Mr. Abeles in
December 2002.
18.
Proposal 2
Approve and Ratify Accountants
The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, certified public accountants,
served as the independent accountants of the Company in connection with the
audit of the Company's financial statements for Fiscal 2002 and for the
Transition Period. As the Company engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on July 24,
2002, PricewaterhouseCoopers did not perform any services for which it was paid
professional fees during Fiscal 2002.
On July 24, 2002, the Company dismissed its independent public
accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur Andersen") and engaged
PricewaterhouseCoopers as its new independent public accountants, effective
immediately for Fiscal 2002. Arthur Andersen's reports on the Company's
consolidated financial statements for each of Fiscal 2001 and Fiscal 2000 did
not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the
Fiscal 2001 and Fiscal 2000, and the subsequent interim period through March 31,
2002, there were no disagreements between the Company and Arthur Andersen on any
matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or
auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Arthur Andersen's
satisfaction, would have caused Arthur Andersen to make reference to the subject
matter of any such disagreements in connection with their reports on the
Company's financial statements for such years.
None of the reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K occurred within Fiscal 2001 or Fiscal 2000, and the subsequent
interim period through March 31, 2002 preceding our determination not to renew
the engagement of Arthur Andersen.
During Fiscal 2001 and Fiscal 2002, the Company did not consult with
PricewaterhouseCoopers with respect to the application of accounting principles
to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit
opinion that might be rendered on the Company's consolidated financial
statements, or any other matters or reportable events required by applicable
securities laws.
The Board of Directors has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
Company's independent accountants for 2003. This selection will be presented to
the stockholders for their approval at the Meeting. The Board of Directors
recommends a vote in favor of the proposal to approve and ratify this selection,
and the persons named in the enclosed proxy (unless otherwise instructed
therein) will vote such proxies FOR this proposal. If the stockholders do not
approve this selection, the Board of Directors will reconsider its choice.
The Company has been advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that a
representative will be present at the Meeting and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions. In addition, the Company intends to give such
representative an opportunity to make any statements if he or she should so
desire.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of the proposal to
approve and ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
independent accountants for 2003, and, unless otherwise indicated therein, the
shares represented by the enclosed properly executed proxy will be voted FOR
such proposal.
Other Matters
The Board of Directors does not intend to present, and has not been
informed that any other person intends to present, any matters for action at the
Meeting other than those specifically referred to in
19.
this Proxy Statement. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it
is intended that the holders of the proxies will act in respect thereof in
accordance with their best judgment.
Submission of Stockholder Proposals
Under Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), stockholder proposals intended for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement for the Company's 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be
submitted in writing to the Company to the Corporate Secretary at 2000
Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513, and must be received by the Company
by December 29, 2003.
Any stockholder proposal submitted for consideration at the Company's 2004
Annual Meeting of Stockholders but not submitted for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement for that meeting that is received by the Company after March 14, 2004
will not be considered filed on a timely basis with the Company under Rule
14a-4(c)(1) of the Exchange Act. For such proposals that are not timely filed,
the Company retains discretion to vote proxies it receives. For such proposals
that are timely filed, the Company retains discretion to vote proxies it
receives provided that the Company includes in its Proxy Statement advice on the
nature of the proposal and how it intends to exercise its voting discretion and
the proponent of any such proposal does not issue its own proxy statement.
The Company's Transition Report on Form 10-K for the six months ended
December 31, 2002, as filed with the SEC, is included in the Annual Report to
Stockholders which accompanies this Proxy Statement.
May 1, 2003 By Order of the Board of Directors
Ranjit C. Singh
Chairman of the Board of Directors
20.
PROXY
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 10, 2003
Proxy solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints each of John D. Kavazanjian and Peter F.
Comerford as the undersigned's proxy, with full power of substitution, to vote
all of the undersigned's shares of Common Stock in Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
(the "Company") at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held
on June 10, 2003 at 10:30 A.M. local time, at the offices of the Company, 2000
Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513, or at any adjournment, on the
matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and upon
such other business as may properly come before such meeting or any adjournments
thereof, hereby revoking any proxies heretofore given.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
|X| Please mark your votes as in this example using dark ink only.
Each properly executed proxy will be voted in accordance with
specifications made on the reverse side hereof. Unless authority to vote for one
or more of the nominees is specifically withheld according to the instructions,
a signed Proxy will be voted FOR the election of the named nominees for
directors and, unless otherwise specified, FOR the other proposals listed herein
and described in the accompanying proxy statement.
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
check the box to vote "FOR" all nominees and strike a line through the nominee's
name in the list below.)
1. Election of Directors.
Withhold Authority to vote
For all nominees listed for all nominees listed
below below
|_| |_|
Nominees: Joseph C. Abeles
Joseph N. Barrella
Patricia C. Barron
Daniel W. Christman
John D. Kavazanjian
Carl H. Rosner
Ranjit C. Singh
2. Proposal to ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent
accountants.
|_| FOR
|_| AGAINST
|_| ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments
thereof.
1.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt with this Proxy of a copy of the
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated May 1, 2003, describing more
fully the proposals set forth herein.
______________________________________ Date: _________________________ , 2003
Signature
______________________________________ Date: _________________________ , 2003
Signature if held jointly
Sign exactly as set forth herein. If signed as executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, indicate the capacity in which you are acting. Proxies by
corporations should be signed by a duly authorized officer and bare corporate
seal. Please sign and return the proxy card promptly in enclosed envelope.
2.